{"id":19807,"date":"2012-08-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/natso.com\/tolling-i-95-will-further-va-s-transportation-problems-not-solve-them\/"},"modified":"2024-05-29T16:49:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T16:49:07","slug":"tolling-i-95-will-further-va-s-transportation-problems-not-solve-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natso.com\/tolling-i-95-will-further-va-s-transportation-problems-not-solve-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Tolling I-95 Will Further Va.’s Transportation Problems, Not Solve Them"},"content":{"rendered":"
Responding to a recent commentary discussing the growing backlash against the Virginia Department of Transportation’s plans to toll Interstate 95, the Partnership to Save Highway Communities said that opposition<\/a> is growing for good reason. Tolling I-95 won’t just cost drivers more–it will have a ripple effect on residents, businesses and localities.<\/p>\n <\/span>Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell recently suggested<\/a> that “if you don’t want to pay a toll, don’t use 95.”<\/p>\n <\/span>Many drivers will likely take the governor’s advice, and the resulting traffic diversion away from I-95 will cause big problems. Residents who use area secondary roads or I-85, I-81 and 301 should expect greater road congestion and more accidents. Localities will spend millions of dollars more in road repair.<\/p>\n <\/span>Travel plazas, truckstops, c-stores and restaurants near I-95 exits will see fewer interstate customers; all businesses who receive deliveries via I-95 will pay higher transportation costs.<\/p>\n <\/span>Raising revenue for transportation is critical to the economic vitality of the Commonwealth, the Partnership said, but tolling I-95 will only serve to further Virginia’s transportation problems, not solve them.<\/p>\n <\/span>Opposition to the I-95 tolling plan continues to mount, with the leaders of six Virginia counties and towns voicing their disagreement at a press conference<\/a> last week.<\/span><\/p>\n